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Published October 01, 2008 07:16 pm - Teens like these shows for the same reason that many Americans follow the lives of celebrities and charge items on credit cards that they can’t afford: We are obsessed with living lives beyond our means. Mat Anderson: Parents should quell materialistic urges early Recently I was watching a cable news channel where politicians and pundits were debating the causes of our nation’s financial crisis.
I was interested in hearing the experts’ opinions of who is to blame, but it seemed as though everyone was merely trying to place blame on each other, so I changed the channel. After flipping through a few commercials, I think I found part of the answer to this question on the CW network, which is known for a lineup of teen dramas. When I arrived on the channel, “Gossip Girl” was on. As I watched the characters enjoy the spoils of extreme wealth, I wondered about the dire state that our society must be in to make these shows successful in the first place. Teens like these shows for the same reason that many Americans follow the lives of celebrities and charge items on credit cards that they can’t afford: We are obsessed with living lives beyond our means. From a very young age, teens are trained by the media, the shopping mall, and in many cases by parents, to think that money can make them happy, fulfilled and important. This is often reflected in our consumption habits. We watch shows like “Gossip Girl” as though we are window-shopping for the lifestyle we desire, and then we use credit to buy clothing, electronics, cars and even homes that we can’t afford. Teens see this and grow up believing that their wants are actually needs and that they are entitled to having anything they want regardless of their ability to earn those things. I believe in many ways this practice of buying happiness is what has gotten us into the financial problems our nation now faces. Of course, I’m not a financial expert, and I don’t have a solution to solve what is going on in Washington or on Wall Street. However, I do know that today’s teens will be adults tomorrow and that they are currently making choices that will dictate how our society will approach problems like these in the future. Because of this, it is important for parents to take this opportunity to reflect on what messages are being communicated to their children regarding the importance of money in our lives. Everywhere teens look, there are ads telling them that if they buy certain products they will be more attractive, happier and more popular. Corporations spend billions each year marketing items specifically to teens in this way, and it’s unlikely that they will change their tactics any time soon. As a parent, it is important to talk to your teen about these messages and the things he or she encounters in movies, TV shows and music. Most importantly, though, is to consider the example you are setting for your teen. When parents are constantly trying to keep up with the Joneses and lead lives that define success monetarily, teens take notice. Instead of pursuing these things and striving to raise children who will become adults with high-paying jobs, parents should instead work to ensure their teens become good people. This means teaching teens that money can’t solve all their problems and that being a person who is loved and respected by friends and family is a greater sign of success than a big house or designer clothes. By teaching this to the next generation of adults, maybe we can avoid these problems in the future. 
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